A new aquaculture only permit from western Australia has been issued for a limited number of WILD leafy sea dragon breeders. The Seahorse Hawaii Foundation has been chosen to buy 3 pairs of these rare and exotic leafy sea dragons.

We will be importing 6 Leafy Dragons and 6 Weedy Dragons in March of 2017 from Steve McQueen in Western Australia. He has been awarded a special permit to collect these dragons for breeding only. Due to our success with our past Leafy Dragons, we have been chosen to be the recipient of these rare animals.

Within earshot of Kailua-Kona's lava-enclosed airstrip and close enough to the ocean to feel the sea spray, a tiny blue building fronts an unusual aquatic farm, the only one of its kind in the United States. On any given day, Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm is home to more than 20,000 seahorses and I've flown from Honolulu on the promise that I would get to interact with one.

I'm standing near a small, natural tidepool on a less natural sidewalk, staring at a clear Dixie cup of tiny, endemic ‘opae ‘ula (red volcanic shrimp). They are seahorse food, about the size of a pen tip, and just made the journey to their temporary holding pen via our tour guide Jeff Milisen. An eager young Michigander holds the cup. Though he's about 7 and I'm ... older, we're both just as excited to see some of the farm's huge numbers of seahorses, learn what the farmed fish are doing here and hear how 20 species–many threatened in the wild–flourish amid Kona's black lava fields.

Looking for a Hawaii, Big Island Attraction or a Hawaii, Big Island Activity? Check out Hawaii's best eco- tour - the Seahorse Farm! Come shake hands with a pregnant male seahorse ! Explore the mysteries of the coral reefs on our 3 acre ocean front living sea horse museum in Kona, Hawaii!! You will see seahorse babies, pregnant males and sea dragons from all over the world from Australia to California to Brazil ! You will learn how we are saving the seahorse from extinction! Great for families and Hawaii ocean lovers of all ages!

A COUPLE OF AQUAPONIC WIZARDS ARE RUNNING A WATERY FARM WHERE THEY BREED A MOST CAPTIVATING, AND ENDANGERED, SPECIES.

On a rocky spit by the Kona airport, Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm is carrying on one of Hawai‘i's most quixotic enterprises: raising seahorses. It's one of the earliest farms in the world to successfully do so&ndash;and, during a tour of its Kona lab, you can actually have a close and, to judge from reactions, magical encounter.

"I made a cup of my hands in the water," said Gail Harada, a poet and professor of English at Kapi‘olani Community College, after a recent visit. "Then they put a seahorse in there, in my hands, but without it touching&ndash;just floating there. And then," she sighed, meltingly, "it curled its tail around my little finger."

Seahorses, which have existed for 13 million years, could be the creatures of the past in three decades unless a drastic action is taken. According to official figures, 64 million of the delicate creatures are taken from oceans annually for Chinese medicine and the curio trade, and conservationists are calling for a ban on shops in Britain selling the dried fish as holiday souvenirs, the Mirror reported.

An up-close look at the Hawaiian Sea horse Farm in Kona, and interview with Carol Cozzi-Schmarr. Carol discusses the efforts in captive breeding of seahorses and the impact of the world's ecosystems - particularly Hawaii.

Tours of our Kona Seahorse Farm are considered to be a life changing experience and are a "must do" for all visitors to Kona! Plan your trip to Kona, Hawaii so you can see and hold a live seahorse on our seahorse tours Monday through Friday at 10am, 12pm (noon) and 2pm.

"A Different Kind of Farm" by producer Caroline Harding documents the personal journey of Carol Cozzi-Schmarr and Craig Schmarr in their quest to save the seahorses and the reefs where the seahorses and other ornamental reef fish were once common.

You will see stunning footage all filmed here at Ocean Rider, of seahorses, seadragons and the people that make the breeding and tours of these rare animals such a great success story. You will also see absolutely beautiful helicopter footage of the pristine ocean off the famous Kona Coast where the ocean rider seahorse farm is located!!

Come see our new baby Weedy Sea Dragons!! Check out our new Leafy Sea Dragon breeding tank! Lots of room for dancing! It is a chilling 45 degree F!!!

These Leafy Dragon seahorses are just incredible. These are subject to natural and man-made threats and are endangered by pollution and natural run off. Unlike traditional seahorses with tails, the leafy dragon can not hold fast in a similar manner and are vulnerable to drift.

For the first time ever you can buy a pair for your home aquarium or buy a pair to be released back in to the ocean here in front of the seahorse farm while you are visiting our beautiful Hawaiian paradise!! Plan your Hawaii seahorse tour and seahorse release before you travel to Kona, Hawaii!

Seahorse Hawaii Foundation

Inspiring ocean awareness by saving the endangered seahorse and sea dragons around the world from extinction through conservation, research, propagation, and education.

Help us save the seahorse and the coral reefs they live in with a tax deductible contribution to the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation. You will be helping to protect and propagate over 25 species of endangered seahorses, sea dragons and friends.

Ocean Rider - Kailua Kona "The Big Island"

What Visitors Are Saying About Our Ocean Rider Tours

"My husband and I spent some time at Ocean Rider and for me it was one of the best parts of Kona. It was amazing to be so up close and personal with these fabulous creatures. We will definitely come again."

What Customers Are Saying About Our Seahorses

Aloha! I just wanted to let you know that the seahorses and shrimp arrived safe and sound. The female was a bit sluggish out of the shipping box but after less than 5 minutes of floating the bag she was up, colored and poking around the bag. Both are now very alert and poking around the bag, still in the acclimation process but looking great. Thanks for the wonderful...